I’ve never actually wanted to be rich. I mean I’ve just never had the itch to have a whole lot of money. A decent roof over my head, and having my basic needs met seems to have always been enough for me. Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve had plenty. I’ve been at that place where I didn’t have to worry about food, rent or mortgage and the like. I’ve also been in that place where I had pretty much nothing; living paycheck to paycheck, so to speak. So I’ve been in both places and truth be told, plenty is better. When one does have plenty though, the tendency is to forget God; we become comfortable. Having nothing much will keep you on your knees. I think I can rest somewhere in the middle.
Obviously there is nothing inherently wrong with being rich. If God chooses to bless me greatly financially, if He chooses to bless the fruit of my labor, or if He chooses to bless because I have been a good steward of what He has provided, or whatever the case may be, I would graciously receive whatever He gives with thanksgiving. However, I believe that the seeking out of wealth, for wealth’s sake and devoting one’s whole life purpose to the accumulation of riches will prove to be problematic. ‘Money is root of all evil!’ they say. Well they are wrong. It’s the love of money that is the root of all evil. 1 Timothy 6:10 says: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. See the problem? Loving money and setting one’s heart on it is a form of greed and causes one to take their eyes off the Lord and wander away from Him. It also causes the offender to be on the receiving end of much sorrow and misery. It’s better to take the Apostle Paul’s advice (actually a command), to young Pastor Timothy. He told him, ‘Flee these things.’ (1 Timothy 6:11).
Now I read that Pastor Creflo Dollar (yes that is his real name), is asking for money to purchase a new jet for his ‘World Changers’ ministry. The old one purchased in 1999 has engine problems. The new luxury jet will cost 65 million dollars. He’s asking for 200,000 people to contribute 300 dollars apiece to meet the need. The statement from his website reads in part: ‘…we believe it is time to replace this aircraft so that our Pastors and staff can continue to safely and swiftly share the Good News of the Gospel worldwide. We need your help to continue reaching a lost and dying world for the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Awww. Just the right combination of compelling words to almost make one want to give out of duty and compassion. But here’s the problem with the statement. Aside from the phrase ‘Good News of the Gospel’ being redundant (the word gospel already means ‘good news’; it’s like saying ‘good news of the good news’), there is a much more serious problem. What exactly is the gospel that he is preaching? Creflo Dollar teaches a ‘prosperity’ gospel. It is both nefarious and unbiblical. It is a gospel laced with untruths, half truths and scripture twisted so tight it takes discernment of the highest order to weed it out. He is also a major proponent of the ‘gospel of grace’ or ‘grace revolution’, as it is touted, which states that since we’ve been forgiven, there’s no need to ever confess your sins again. Basically, though they don’t say it in so many words, I am to ignore the convicting power of the Holy Spirit if I sin, as a matter of fact, it’s not the Spirit convicting you, it’s the devil trying to make you sin conscious, because I’m already forgiven! That, my friend, is very near blasphemy; attributing the work of the Holy Ghost to the devil. Here’s what scripture has to say about those who promote false gospels which are actually no gospel at all and preach another Jesus: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18).
That all being said, why would a truth loving child of God want to support this type of ministry or any like it that preaches and teaches the things they do? I’ve only given you the most basic tenets of what they believe; it’s all much more intricate. The Apostle Paul stated that he preached ‘Christ crucified.’ (1 Corinthians 1:23). That speaks of the Cross, and we can do no wrong by preaching the same.
But alas, Creflo Dollar will get his 65 million dollars and his new luxury jet and will probably continue spouting his pseudo-gospel. These men and women have countless followers who support their ministries and have made it possible for them to live like kings and queens. Their lavish lifestyles filled with planes, cars, houses and land are all passed off as blessings from the Lord. The jury is still out on that one. Building a ministry and lifestyle on the backs of the deceived is not my idea of being blessed.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9). Powerful words. So powerful, he had to say it twice.
That’s the Word! Take it with you. God bless you.